Everyone, I have been silent for a while as I made preparations to leave California for the free land of Arizona. This means that I can move forward with my publishing company which would have been unrealistic with all of California's "regulatory compliance, taxes and fees". Although I have argued for years that Southern California played a huge role in the story of the American West, it's nice to live in a place where people finally appreciate that American Pioneer legacy. The gold is long played out and the sun has set on the golden state.

Words cannot describe how exhilarating and overwhelming it has been. I have spent nearly the last 7 years living in historic Santa Ana Canyon (which virtually nobody knows or cares about the history thereof) and am now among people who love history. The last thing I want is to turn Arizona into another California and so, I am assimilating to the AZ lifestyle. It is nicer, cleaner, and more affordable here. People also seem more interested in knowing their history.

When asked by some of the millennial employees at my work, why I am leaving, I gave them this story:"25-years ago in this same neighborhood in California, I made $13 an hour at an entry level office job; took home about $1600 a month; lived in a nice 2-story, 3-bedroom townhouse for $850 a month; my car payment was $175 a month; all my bills were about another $100; and my healthcare was a whopping $52 a month. I moved in 2-roommates for $200 each and had enough money to live the dream going to the mountains, deserts and beaches as I pleased. Now, those same townhomes are $2500 a month; the place is so crowded it takes hours to go anywhere; the beaches are too crowded to bother with; healthcare is over $500 and I won't even go there on the bills. Oh! and the best part is that the same job still pays about $12-13 an hour & requires a college degree so most people under 35 still live with their parents."

In short, I am free...the Frontier American Illustrated News and its various publications are ready to move forward...and I am now in a place that shares my passion for our Nation's legacy. Let the journey begin.

Congratulations. I left San Diego for Prescott about 9 years ago. My only regret is that I didn't make the move 20 ears earlier. Arizona is a wonderful state but be aware that there are a butt-load of liberals here who'd just love to make it like California and they are working hard toward that end.

Welcome to Arizona. It is a state full of history and some of us still appreciate that. Look into joining the Arizona Historical Society. Theior museums and publications are worth the price of membership.

How do I find out more about this "Frontier American Illustrated News"?

For those interested in the Frontier American Illustrated News, I have not yet launched the website but I did a soft launch of the facebook page. As of now it is pretty informal as I am not yet promoting it (waiting for website launch). For now, it covers some personal photos taken while working on various articles and projects.

I've conceal carried a few times before. The nice part is that I feel so safe here that there is little reason to carry one unless I am hitting the trail. I definitely respect the fact that an armed society is a polite society and I definitely feel it here. The old west is alive and well and a lot nicer than what I left in California. There are some nice Californians too but the vibe here is just better.

As a native born and raised Californian, I never thought I'd be so happy to leave what was my home state. The cost of living is cheaper. The people seem friendlier. My 2A rights are restored. I love the climate (yes even the +115° summertime heat). I love the terrain and wide open spaces.

I don't miss driving 40-minutes to drop off my daughter at school 3-miles away; overcrowded beaches; bumper-to-bumper crawling traffic wherever you go; gas that's about $4 per gallon; Disneyland is over $100 per day and $1000 for an annual pass...and still always overcrowded; rude people; ruder drivers; higher crime, grungy urban filth & pollution and everything shy of a BB-gun seems to be on the "banned" list. A 1100 sq. foot 1946-built house in a high crime neighborhood goes for $500k and an "American Dream - Middle Class" home in Irvine sells for a Million or more.

Arizona is a wonderful state but be aware that there are a butt-load of liberals here who'd just love to make it like California and they are working hard toward that end.

Unfortunately I believe that is everywhere you go. This day and age there are too many people that take what we have for granted and are too easily persuaded to give it all up for an illusion of something even better.

Unfortunately I believe that is everywhere you go. This day and age there are too many people that take what we have for granted and are too easily persuaded to give it all up for an illusion of something even better.